General Disease Flashcards
disease
abnormal condition negatively affecting structure or function of an organism
not primarily due to external injury
etiology
causes or contributing factors
pathology
study of disease
pathogenesis
development of disease
morphological changes
structure modifications
acquired condition
starts at some point in life after birth
congenital condition
present at birth
acute condition
short term in nature
chronic condition
long term in nature (more than 6 months)
hereditary / inherited
factors passed through genes; may be active or dormant
genetic mutation
normal gene modified by external factors
iatrogenic
caused by medical intervention
idiopathic
unknown cause of disease and progression / iduno
primary condition
root cause of illness
secondary condition
sequela or complication of primary condition
progressive condition
symptoms worsens in nature; not necessarily break down of tissues
degenerative condition
condition worsens over time, with tissue structure worsening
medical condition
broad term for multiple types of conditions requiring treatment
disorder
functional abnormality
syndrome
association of several signs and symptoms often occurring together regardless if cause is known
differential diagnosis
distinguishing a disease/condition from other conditions with similar features
autoimmune disease
condition in which the body’s immune system incorrectly identifies tissues as harmful and attacks them; more common in women
